Golf putting training template

ABSTRACT

A golf putting template for training golfers to more accurately putt a golf ball towards the cup along the preferred line of travel has a base member with an open area at its forward end that extends rearwardly to define a ball placement area and a center position for placement of the golf ball. An aim line extends rearwardly from the center position for aligning the template with a target line marked on the ground. An arc line extends rearwardly from the center position in a substantially elliptical direction to define the travel of the putter head during the back and forward strokes, which is achieved through rotation of the golfer&#39;s shoulders. Tracking lines perpendicularly intersect the arc line to guide the putter head face during the putting stroke. A plurality of follow-through lines guide the follow-through swing. Alignment indicia align the golfer&#39;s feet and stance relative to the template.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The field of the present invention relates generally to golf trainingdevices and methods. In particular, the present invention relates togolf training devices and methods that are specifically directed toimproving a golfer's putting techniques. Even more particularly, thepresent invention relates to such putting training aids that areprovided in a flat plate or plate-like configuration for ease of use andportability.

B. Background

Golfing is one of the most popular played sports throughout the world,on both a competitive and recreational level. One of the most importantaspects of golfing is putting the ball once it lands on the green aroundthe hole or cup. Because golfing requires a relatively high amount ofskill to properly hit the golf ball in the desired direction and withthe desired amount of force, the vast majority of people take golflessons and must practice on a relatively routine and frequent basis.This is particularly true with putting. Although driving the ball to getto the green is very important to the game of golf, the inability toputt the ball into the hole once it is on the green is often one of themost frustrating problems for the amateur and professional golfer alike.While many golfers may adequately learn techniques to drive the ballfurther and straighter, or other desired direction, the lack of properputting skills is very common and generally results in an undesirablehigh score from multiple missed putts. It is well known that in order tobe successful at putting it is important for the golfer to learn andpractice the proper putting techniques so that he or she will be able todevelop a consistent, high quality putting stroke.

Studies of putting techniques generally indicate that the number onereason most golfers have difficulty putting is due to bad or improperaim. As used in the present disclosure, the “preferred line” is the paththat the golf ball should follow between where it is located when hitand the cup in order for the golf ball to end up in the cup. Bad aimresults in a golf ball that travels to the left or right of thispreferred line. As a result of the golfer's inability to properly aimthe golf ball towards the cup along this preferred line, the golfergenerally compensates his or her putting stroke to produce a stroke thatattempts to “steer” the golf ball towards the cup. The steered stroketypically manifests itself when the golfer tries to guide the golf ballby taking the putter straight back and then moves it forward in a mannerthat guides the face of the putter head down the preferred line to thecup. Unfortunately, the failure to properly aim the stroke down thepreferred line makes developing a consistent putting stroke verydifficult for the golfer.

Another common problem many golfers have with putting is failing to hitthe golf ball at the desired location on the putter head face. To obtainthe desired distance and straight ball travel, the area of the center ofgravity of the putter head should be what strikes the golf ball. Theportion of the putter face which is directly forward of the center ofgravity of the putter head is commonly referred to as the “sweet spot”.Failure to hit the golf ball exactly at this sweet spot is very likelyto result in errant or misdirected travel for the ball (i.e., travel tothe left or right of the preferred line). Generally, the further awayfrom the sweet spot that the golf ball is struck by the putter head, themore misdirected the golf ball will travel. A golf ball hit towards thetoe of the putter head will generally travel to the right of thepreferred line and a golf ball hit towards the heel of the putter headwill travel to the left of the preferred line. As is well known, a golfball deviating to the right or left of the preferred line will not getto the cup and will result in a higher score.

Yet another common problem most golfers have with putting is theinability to properly contact the golf ball with the putter head. Thegeneral goal of a good putting stroke is to strike the golf ball withthe face of the putter at a point in the swing where the plane of theputter head face is generally perpendicular or square with the desireddirection of travel. To achieve the desired contact with the golf ballthe golfer must properly hold and guide the putter head while rotatinghis or her shoulders during the putting stroke. As is well known, thisis not easy to achieve. In order to be somewhat successful with putting,the golfer must train his or her body to swing the putter through theputting stroke in a manner that results in the putter head faceperpendicularly striking the golf ball.

Over the years, a number of training devices for teaching golfers aproper or preferred putting stroke have been patented. For instance,U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,870 to Froggatte discloses an alignment guide forpractice putting comprising a base having perpendicular target andputter face lines and a pair of spaced apart guide rails secured to thebase parallel to the preferred line and forming a channel for the putterhead. U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,343 to O'Conner, et al., describes a golf putttraining apparatus that has a pair of mutually opposing guide rails thateach have a plurality of rigid teeth projecting towards the opposingguide rail to guide the putter head along the preferred line. U.S. Pat.No. 6,572,486 to Sweinhart describes a putter practice apparatus havinga frame structure with an upper horizontal bar member that acts as aguide for the putter shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,920 to Hamiltondescribes a golf putting guide that has a vertical front surface facingthe ball that is part of the elliptical vertical projection of desiredswing path of the putter head. The heel of the putter head slides alongthe front surface of the guide to guide the putter in a swing circlecentered between the golfer's shoulders. This device is commerciallyavailable as The Putting Arc® from The Putting Arc, Inc. U.S. Pat. No.6,443,852 to Kim describes a putting guide comprising a rectangularframe that defines a path for the putter head. Back and front stopmembers define the beginning and end of the putting stroke. U.S. Pat.No. 6,159,106 to Adams discloses a putting stroke training device thatcomprises a flat base with an adjustable channel running its length todefine a path for the putter head. U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,685 describes agolf putting device having a base plate and a pair of elongated membersslidably mounted on the base plate to form a guide for the putter head.U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,557 to Casillas, et al. discloses a putting practicedevice that comprises a mat having a pair of parallel, separated raisedportions that define a putting stroke path. U.S. Pat. No. 2,866,645 toCayot describes a putting practice device comprising a plate having twoupstanding parallel rails on which the golf ball is placed and anupstanding wall, parallel to the rails, which the toe of the putter headtravels in a parallel direction during the putting stroke. Although theforegoing are configured to assist the golfer with his or her puttingstroke, they do so by controlling the movement of the putter head orgolf ball through an artificial mechanism. While repetitious use ofthese devices may ultimately improve the golfer's putting skills, theforgoing devices do not optimally train the golfer's body and mind tomove in a manner that will best achieve the desired putting stroke.

The use of mats, plates and other generally planar devices for use intraining golf putting are also known in the art and the subject ofpatents. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,719 to Franklin describes agolf putting teaching aid comprising a mat-like putting surface having acup near one end and a plurality of putting guide patterns on the uppersurface of the mat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,625 to Miner describes a puttingpractice device comprising a thin, flat T-shaped member having anelongated portion with a centerline thereon and a V-shaped notch in theT-shaped member that connects to the centerline at the apex of the V. Asighting bore is positioned on the centerline of the base for properpositioning of the golfer's head. U.S. Pat. No. 2,992,005 to Lockhartdescribes a putting guide comprising a thin, generally rectangular sheethaving a rectangular notch at one end with a direction line along thecenterline of the sheet that intersects the center of the notch forplacement of the ball and guidance of the putter head to the ball.Although the foregoing patents describe generally mat or mat-likeputting training devices to improve the golfer's putting stroke, theyare configured only to guide the putter head along a straight line tothe golf ball. As such, they do not provide putting training devicesthat effectively train the golfer's body to properly putt the golf ball.

What is needed, therefore, is an improved golf putting training devicethat is provided in a generally thin, flat mat or mat-like configurationfor ease of use and portability. The preferred golf putting trainingdevice will not require the movement of the putter or golf ball to becontrolled by the training device so as to optimize the training of thegolfer's body to properly putt the golf ball. The preferred golf puttingtraining device will facilitate correct movement of the putter headthrough the putting stroke so as to contact the golf ball at the sweetspot of the putter head and with the face generally perpendicular to thepreferred line. The preferred golf putting training device will alsofacilitate assisting the golfer with proper aim of his or her putt alongthe preferred line. The preferred golf putting training device will alsoassist the golfer with proper placement of his or her feet relative tothe position of the golf ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The golf putting training template of the present invention provides thebenefits and solves the problems identified above. That is to say, thepresent invention discloses a golf putting training template thateffectively and efficiently trains the golfer to more accurately puttthe golf ball towards the cup. In the preferred embodiment, the golfputting training template of the present invention is configured as amat-like template that is easily utilized on the ground and easy totransport. The golf putting training template does not utilize anynon-golfer external control of the putter head and/or golf ball, therebyoptimizing the golfer's putting training by effectively teaching thegolfer's body to properly putt the golf ball towards the cup. The golfputting training template of the present invention has a arc line withplurality of parallel putter head face lines that corresponds to theproper direction of travel and angle for the putter head during theputting stroke to visually guide the sweet spot to the golf ball. Thepresent invention has a plurality of parallel follow-through lines totrain the golfer on the proper follow through for his or her putt. Thegolf putting training template of the present invention has an aim linethat is configured to assist the golfer with aiming his or her golf ballalong the preferred line towards the cup.

In one aspect of the present invention, the golf putting trainingtemplate has a forward base member and a rear base member that areplaced in abutting relationship to define the template base member. Inan alternative embodiment, the base member can be a single component,made of two or more hingedly joined components or more than twocomponents. An open area extends rearwardly from the first end of thebase member, positioned towards the cup or hole where the golf ball isto be aimed, to define a ball placement area configured to receive thegolf ball. At the rearward side of the open area is a center positionthat defines where the center of the golf ball is positioned during use.An aim line extends rearward from the center position and is used toalign the template with a target line that is drawn at least partiallyalong the preferred line the golf ball should take to reach the cup orhole. An arc line extends rearward in a substantially elliptical mannerfrom the center position towards the first or golfer side of thetemplate. In the preferred embodiment, the base member has a pluralityof tracking lines that more or less perpendicularly intersect the arcline to provide a guide for the golfer's swing during his or herbackstroke and forward stroke by aligning the face of the putter headwith the tracking lines. The arc line defines the preferred travel ofthe putter head during the putting stroke, which is achieved by rotationof the golfer's shoulders. On the forward side of the center positionthe base member comprises a plurality of follow-through lines thatguide, by keeping the face of the putter head parallel thereto, thegolfer's follow-through swing. To assist with the golfer's feetpositioning, the base member of the preferred embodiment of the templateincludes a stance line for aligning the middle of the golfer's stanceand indicia for positioning the golfer's left and right feet.Positioning apertures on the base member are used for securing thetemplate to the ground or other surface. Using the template of thepresent invention, the golfer rotates his or her shoulders to swing theputter head along the arc line and then hit the sweet spot of the putterhead solidly against the golf ball to direct the golf ball toward thecup.

In use, the golfer first marks a target line along at least a portion ofthe preferred line the golf ball should take to the cup or hole. Thegolfer places the first end, having the open area, towards the cup andaligns the aim line on the template with the target line on the ground.In the preferred embodiment, the template is secured to the ground, withthe aim line in alignment with the target line, by placing a golf teethrough each of one or more positioning apertures. The golf ball isplaced at the ball placement area and the golfer stands near thetemplate with the middle of his or her stance aligned with the stanceline and his or her feet aligned with the feet alignment indicia. Thesweet spot of the putter head is placed adjacent the golf ball. Thegolfer rotates his or her shoulders to swing the putter head along thearc line while keeping the putter head face in alignment with thetracking lines that perpendicularly intersect the arc line. The sweetspot of the putter head face contacts the golf ball to direct the golfball towards the cup while the golfer continues to rotate his or hershoulders and keeps the putter head face substantially aligned with thefollow-through lines on the forward side of the base member. Using thetemplate of the present invention for putting practice will result inthe golfer training his body how to correctly and consistently putt thegolf ball.

Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is toprovide a golf putting training template that provides the advantagesdiscussed above and overcomes the disadvantages and limitations whichare associated with presently available golf putting training devices.

An important objective of the present invention is to provide a golfputting training template that optimizes putter training by moreeffectively teaching the golfer's body and eyes to recognize the correctputting stroke (peripheral vision) without utilizing any guide members,channeling devices or other non-golfer control mechanisms to guide theputter head to the golf ball.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide agolf putting training template that helps train the golfer to improvethe aim of his or her putt along the preferred line.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide agolf putting training template that is in a flat plate or plate-likeconfiguration to facilitate ease of use and portability thereof.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide agolf putting training template that provides for rotation of thegolfer's shoulders during the putting stroke by guiding the putter headalong an arc line on the upper surface of the template to direct thesweet spot of the putter head to the golf ball with the putter head faceperpendicular to the preferred stroke path.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide agolf putting training template having an upper surface configured tovisually train the golfer's swing through the entire putting stroke.

The above and other objectives of the present invention will beexplained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and thedescription of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forthherein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form,construction, mode of operation and combination of processes presentlydescribed and understood by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the bestmodes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a golfer using a golf putting training templateconfigured according to the principles of the present invention topractice using a putter to hit a golf ball towards a cup;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a golf putting training template configuredaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the forward section of the golfputting training template of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of the rear half of the golf puttingtraining template of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an isolated perspective view showing the sweet spot on theputter head before it contacts the ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures where like elements have been given likenumerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of thepresent invention, the preferred embodiments of the present inventionare set forth below. As is understood by those skilled in the art, theenclosed figures and drawings are merely illustrative of a preferredembodiment and represents one of several different ways of configuringthe present invention. Although specific components, materials,configurations and uses are set forth below and illustrated in thedrawings, it should be understood that a number of variations to thecomponents and to the configuration of those components described hereinand in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scopeand function of the invention set forth herein. For purposes of thisdisclosure, references are generally to a two-piece golf puttingtraining template, however, it is understood that the disclosure hereinapplies to a single piece template or a template configured from morethan two separate pieces.

A golf putting training template that is manufactured out of thecomponents and configured pursuant to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is shown generally as 10 in the figures. As shown inFIG. 1, a golfer 12 utilizes golf putting training template 10 with aputter 14 having a putter head 16 to putt a golf ball 18 towards a holeor cup 20 along its preferred line, shown as 22. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, template 10 comprises two separatetemplate sections, forward section 24 and rear section 26 that are shownin abutting relationship in FIGS. 1 and 2 and separately in FIGS. 3 and4. Forward section 24 comprises a substantially planar and thin mat ormat-like forward base member 28 having a first end 30, an opposingsecond end 32, a first side 34 and an opposing second side 36, as bestshown in FIG. 3, and rear section 26 comprises a substantially planarand thin mat or mat-like rear base member 38 having a first end 40, anopposing second end 42, a first side 44 and an opposing second side 46,as best shown in FIG. 4. As apparent from FIG. 1, when forward section24 is placed in abutting relationship with rear section 26, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the first or forward end of template 10 corresponds tofirst end 30 and the second or rearward end of template 10 correspondsto second end 42. As explained in more detail below and shown in FIG. 1,the first end 30 of forward section 24 is placed toward ball 18 whengolfer 12 utilizes template 10 for putting training and rear section 26is placed against forward section 24 in a position rearward thereof,relative to ball 18. Generally, template 10 will be placed on the ground48, such as a substantially flat area of a golf course putting green,during use for putting training. Using template 10, the golfer willdirect the sweet spot 50 of putter head face 51, shown in FIG. 5, ofputter head 16 towards golf ball 18.

In the preferred embodiment of template 10 of the present invention,forward 28 and rear 38 base members are made from a lightweight,generally rigid material, such as a variety of plastics includingacrylic (i.e., polymethyl methacrylate). Although it is not intended forthe putter head 16 to contact template 10 during use thereof, thematerials for base members 28 and 38 should be selected to besufficiently durable to withstand such impact in case the golfer 12inadvertently hits base members 28 and 38 while training. Although thepreferred embodiment shows template 10 comprising two separate basemembers 28 and 38, those skilled in the art will understand that theinvention is not so limited. Template 10 can comprise a single basemember, two or more base members that are hingedly joined or more thantwo separate base members. The inventor has found the presentconfiguration to provide a template 10 which is storable, portable andeasy to utilize.

Forward section 24, best shown in FIG. 3, has an open area 52 thatextends forward from stance line 54 to the first end 30 and whichdefines a ball placement area 56 just forward of stance line 54. Stanceline 54 is for the golfer 12 to align the middle of his or her stancewith when using template 10. Edges 58 and 59 of open area 52 divergefrom the forward edge of stance line 54 for unobstructed travel of golfball 18 past front end 30 after it is hit by putter head 16. The centerof ball placement area 56, identified as center position 60, is theposition where the center bottom of golf ball 18 is placed against therearward side of open area 52. In the preferred embodiment, edges 58 and59 diverge in a generally symmetrical manner in relation to the aim line62, which extends rearward from center position 60 towards second end 42of rear base member 38 (as explained in more detail in regard to rearsection 26 below). In the preferred embodiment, ball placement area 56is configured such that when the golf ball 18 is placed therein atcenter position 60, the rear facing edge of golf ball 18 is positionedat ball contact point 64, which is where golf ball 18 is to be hit bythe sweet spot 50 of putter head 16. The bottom side of golf ball 18rests on the ground and, if hit properly, will travel along thepreferred line 22 to cup 20. Along edges 58 and 59 are one or morefollow-through lines, shown as first follow-through line 66, secondfollow-through line 68 and third follow-through line 70. Thefollow-through lines 66, 68 and 70 are utilized to guide the movement ofthe putter head 16 after it hits golf ball 18. Proper follow-through ofthe putt will result in the plane of the putter face 51 moving acrossopen space 52 parallel to follow-through lines 66, 68 and 70.

The preferred embodiment of forward section 24 also includes a visualhead guide 72 on stance line 54 that the golfer 12 can utilize to assisthim or her to insure that he or she has their head properly over golfball 18 when putting. As shown, visual head guide 72 is also configuredto help the golfer 12 more clearly direct the sweet spot 50 of putterhead 16 to ball contact point 64. Located at the first end 30 of firstside 34 is left foot alignment mark 74 that is utilized to assist thegolfer 12 in properly placing his or her left foot when utilizingtemplate 10 for putting training purposes. Generally, the golfer willplace his or her left big toe in alignment with left foot alignment mark74 at the first side 34 of forward base member 28. The preferredembodiment of forward section 24 also includes two forward positioningapertures 76 that are used by the golfer 12 to hold forward section 24in place during putting practice. Preferably, the forward positioningapertures 76 are sized and configured to receive a golf tee, not shown,therein. Golf tees are useful for the holding mechanism due to the factgolfer 12 generally has a supply of such tees readily available. Forwardsection 24 also has fourth tracking line 88, the purpose of which isexplained in relation to FIG. 4 below.

Rear section 26, best shown in FIG. 4, primarily comprises the mainportion of aim line 62 and arc line 80, which is the track of theputting stroke that the golfer 12 will follow when using template 10 toputt golf ball 18. As best shown in FIG. 2, aim line 62 extends rearwardfrom the center position 60 of ball placement area 56. As explained inmore detail below, the purpose of aim line 62 is to facilitate properplacement of the template 10 relative to cup 20. Arc line 80 extendsrearward from the center position 60 in a substantially ellipticaldirection towards first side 44 of rear base member 38 and is configuredto represent the line that a golfer 12 takes when he or she is allowedto naturally swing putter 14 as the result of a controlled turn of thegolfer's shoulders. During use of template 10, putter head 16 willfollow along arc line 80 such that the plane of putter face 51 willremain perpendicular to the path of arc line 80, as illustrated by firsttracking line 82, second tracking line 84, third tracking line 86 andfourth tracking line 88. The golfer will follow arc line 80, maintainingthe face 51 of putter head 16 in alignment with tracking lines 82, 84,86 and 88, which are approximately perpendicular (i.e., 88 to 92degrees) to arc line 80, during both the backstroke and forward stroke.As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the width of arc line 80 can increase fromwhere it contacts stance line 54 to the second end 42 of rear section 26to accommodate various sized golfers. Located generally along the firstend 40 of the first side 44 of rear section 26 is right foot alignmentmark 90. The right big toe of golfer 12 should be generally alignedwithin the area defined by right foot alignment mark 90. The toepositions set forth herein assumes the golfer's elbows are more in frontof his or her stomach than on his or her side (which would cause theputter to tend to go back outside arc line 80). As with forward section24, rear section 26 includes two rear positioning apertures 92 to holdrear section 26 in place during putting practice. As with forwardpositioning apertures 76, the rear positioning apertures 92 arepreferably sized and configured to receive a golf tee, not shown,therein.

Use of template 10 of the present invention requires proper set-up on asubstantially flat area of ground 48. Initially, the golfer 12 utilizesa chalk line to mark a target line 94, shown in FIG. 1, that correspondsto at least a portion of the preferred line 22, such as an approximatelytwelve inch portion of preferred line 22 that is located approximatelyeight feet from the cup 20. While the chalked target line 94 couldextend the entire preferred line 22 distance to cup 20, this isgenerally not necessary as twelve inches is usually sufficient and aboutthe extent that most people can aim correctly. With the chalked targetline 94 in place, which the golfer 12 can make by marking a hole in theground 48 with a tee or the like, the golfer 12 aligns aim line 62 onthe forward section 24 with the target line 94 and secures the forwardbase member 28 to the green with golf tees through forward positioningapertures 76. Once forward section 24 is in place, the golfer places thefirst end 40 of rear base member 38 in abutting relation with the secondend 32 of forward base member 28 and secures rear section 26 to thegreen by placing golf tees through the rear positioning apertures 92.Prior to beginning training, the golfer 12 should step back and ensurethat aim line 62 is aimed directly down the chalked target line 94 tothe center of the cup 20. If desired, the golfer can mark one or moregolf balls 18 with a circular line around the center circumference ofthe golf ball 18. The golf ball 18 is placed at ball placement area 56such that the circular line is in alignment with the chalked target line94.

Once template 10 is secured in place, the golfer 12 places a golf ball18 at ball placement area 56 such that the rearward facing side of thegolf ball is at the ball contact point 64. The golfer 12 then places hisleft big toe in alignment with left foot alignment mark 74 and the rightbig toe in alignment with the right foot alignment mark 90 standingapproximately twelve inches from the first sides 34 and 44 of forwardbase member 28 and rear base member 38, respectively. Depending whetherthe center of the putter head 16 is above or below the arc line 80, thegolfer 12 may need to move slightly closer to or further away from theside of template 10. Once in the proper position, the center of thegolfer's body is aligned with stance line 54 and golf ball 18 should beat or near the center of the golfer's stance. For proper stance,approximately 60% of the golfer's weight should be on his or her leftfoot. The golfer 12 then uses his or her normal putting grip, with softgrip pressure, standing upright with the elbows touching his or her bodycloser to the front of the golfer's body rather than the sides. Theshoulders and arms should be relaxed. The golfer 12 then bends forwardat the hips to place the putter head 16 at the start position, withsweet spot 50 adjacent to the ball contact point 64. While holding hisor her head still, the golfer 12 rotates their shoulders such that thesweet spot 50 of putter head follows arc line 80, with the putter headface 51 being aligned with the tracking lines 82, 84, 86 and 88, to theend of the backstroke. No movement in the knees should take place. Thegolfer's grip on the putter 14 should be such that the putter head 16will naturally follow the arc line 80 on template 10 when the shouldersturn. Regardless of grip, the angle of the backs of the left and rightwrists must remain constant throughout the stroke. The golfer 12 watchesthe place where he or she wants sweet spot 50 on the putter head face 51to strike golf ball 18. The wrists are not to move when the golfer 12hits golf ball 18. The golf ball 18 is hit or tapped by the sweet spot50 of putter head 16. The hit must be done with the shoulders and theone piece feeling created by the closeness of the elbows to the nearfront of the body. Once the putter head 16 hits golf ball 18, it must beallowed to follow through slightly by the upward turn of the leftshoulder, which must continue to move upward during impact to get a goodhit on golf ball 18. If the shoulders stop as contact takes place, theputter head 16 will decelerate. Generally, golfer 12 should imagine hisor her forward line arc at nearly the same curve as the rearward arcline 80, although it may be very straight for a few inches at impact dueto the tap of the ball 18, before it curves to the left. The speed withwhich putter head 16 hits golf ball 18 should be constant (i.e., noacceleration or deceleration) throughout the stroke. As stated above,the putter head 16 should not contact the surface of template 10 duringthe stroke. The plane of the putter head face 51 should be in alignmentwith follow-through lines 66, 68 and 70 after the golf ball 18 is hit.The key for use of template 10 is to have the plate of the putter headface 51 follow arc line 80 and stay as near as possible to nearperpendicular (i.e., 88 degrees to 92 degrees) of arc line 80 (i.e.,parallel to tracking lines 82, 84, 86 and 88) and not aim line 62. Thegoal is to learn to avoid forced manipulation of putter 14 (i.e.,steering of the golf ball) and merely allow the putter head 16 to followthe arc created by the movement of the golfer's shoulders.

While there are shown and described herein a specific form of theinvention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art thatthe invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to variousmodifications and rearrangements in design and materials withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, itshould be noted that the present invention is subject to modificationwith regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein andmodifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use. Forinstance, there are numerous components described herein that can bereplaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish theobjectives of the present invention.

1. A golf putting training template for use by a golfer to putt a golfball along a preferred line with a putter head having a sweet spot on aface thereof, said training template comprising; a base member having afirst end, a second end, a first side and a second side; an open areabeginning at said first end of said base member and extending rearwardtherefrom, said open area defining a ball placement area for receivingsaid golf ball, said base member having a center position at said ballplacement area for alignment of said golf ball; an aim line on said basemember, said aim line extending rearward from said center position ofsaid ball placement area; and an arc line on said base member, said arcline extending rearward in a substantially elliptical direction fromsaid center position of said ball placement area towards said first sideof said base member.
 2. The training template according to claim 1further comprising a stance line on said base member, said stance linepassing through said center position and defining the approximate middleof the stance of said golfer and a ball contact point.
 3. The trainingtemplate according to claim 2 further comprising a ball contact point onsaid stance line in alignment with said aim line, said ball contactpoint defining the position of contact between said golf ball and saidsweet spot on said face of said putter head.
 4. The training templateaccording to claim 1 further comprising one or more tracking lines onsaid base member, each of said one or more tracking linesperpendicularly intersecting said arc line, said one or more trackinglines defining the desired travel of said putter head prior to hittingsaid golf ball.
 5. The training template according to claim 1 furthercomprising one or more follow-through lines on said base member, each ofsaid follow-through lines intersecting said open area and defining thedesired travel of said putter head after hitting said golf ball.
 6. Thetraining template according to claim 5 further comprising one or moretracking lines on said base member, each of said one or more trackinglines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line.
 7. The trainingtemplate according to claim 6 further comprising a stance line on saidbase member, said stance line passing through said center position anddefining the approximate middle of the stance of said golfer and a ballcontact point.
 8. The training template according to claim 1 furthercomprising a left foot alignment mark at said first end of said basemember, said left foot alignment mark configured to generally align theleft foot of said golfer.
 9. The training template according to claim 8further comprising a right foot alignment mark at said first side ofsaid base member, said right foot alignment mark configured to generallyalign the right foot of said golfer.
 10. The training template accordingto claim 1 further comprising a visual head guide on said base member atsaid center position, said visual head guide configured to align thehead of said golfer.
 11. The training template according to claim 1,wherein said base member further comprises one or more positioningapertures.
 12. The training template according to claim 1, wherein saidbase member comprises a forward base member defining a forward sectionand a rear base member defining a rear section, said open area and saidcenter position on said forward base member, said forward base memberand said rear base member configured for placement in abutting relationto join said aim line and said arc line extending rearward from saidcenter position onto said rear base member.
 13. A golf putting trainingtemplate for use by a golfer to putt a golf ball along a preferred linewith a putter head having a sweet spot on a putter face thereof, saidtraining template comprising; a forward base member having a first end,a second end, a first side and a second side, said forward base memberdefining a forward section; a rear base member having a first end, asecond end, a first side and a second side, said rear base memberdefining a rear section, said first end of said rear base memberconfigured to be placed in abutting relationship with said second end ofsaid forward base member; an open area on said forward section, saidopen area beginning at said first end of said forward base member andextending rearward therefrom, said open area defining a ball placementarea for receiving said golf ball, said forward base member having acenter position at said ball placement area for alignment of said golfball; an aim line on said forward base member and said rear base member,said aim line extending rearward from said center position of said ballplacement area; an arc line on said forward base member and said rearbase member, said arc line extending rearward in a substantiallyelliptical direction from said center position of said ball placementarea towards said first side of said rear base member; one or moretracking lines on said rear base member, each of said one or moretracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arc line, said one ormore tracking lines defining the desired travel of said putter faceprior to hitting said golf ball; and one or more follow-through lines onsaid forward base member, each of said follow-through lines intersectingsaid open area and defining the desired travel of said putter head afterhitting said golf ball.
 14. The training template according to claim 13further comprising a stance line on said forward base member, saidstance line passing through said center position and defining the centerof the stance of said golfer.
 15. The training template according toclaim 14 further comprising a ball contact point on said stance line inalignment with said aim line, said ball contact point defining theposition of contact between said golf ball and said sweet spot on saidface of said putter head.
 16. The training template according to claim13 further comprising a left foot alignment mark at said first end ofsaid forward base member and a right foot alignment mark at said firstend of said rear base member, said left foot alignment mark aligning theleft foot of said golfer and said right foot alignment mark aligning theright foot of said golfer so as to place the middle of the stance ofsaid golfer in substantial alignment with said center position.
 17. Thetraining template according to claim 16 further comprising a visual headguide on said forward base member at said center position, said visualhead guide configured to align the head of said golfer.
 18. The trainingtemplate according to claim 13, wherein each of said forward base memberand said rear base member further comprises one or more positioningapertures.
 19. A method of utilizing a golf putting training template topractice putting a golf ball on a surface along a preferred line towardsa cup with a putter head having a sweet spot on a face thereof, saidmethod comprising the steps of: a) Marking a target line along at leasta portion of said preferred line; b) Placing a first end of a basemember towards said cup; c) Aligning an aim line on said base memberwith said target line, said aim line extending rearward from a centerposition at a ball placement area defined in an open area at said firstend of said base member, said open area beginning at said first end ofsaid base member and extending rearward therefrom; d) Securing said basemember to said surface with said aim line linearly disposed relative tosaid target line; e) Placing said golf ball at said ball placement area;f) Standing adjacent to said base member such that the middle of thestance of said golfer is substantially aligned with a stance line onsaid base member at said center position; g) Placing said sweet spot ofsaid putter head adjacent said golf ball at said center position; h)Rotating the shoulders of said golfer so as to swing said putter headalong an arc line on said base member with said face of said putter headsubstantially parallel to one or more tracking lines on said basemember, said arc line extending rearward in a substantially ellipticaldirection from said center position of said ball placement area, each ofsaid one or more tracking lines perpendicularly intersecting said arcline; and i) Contacting said golf ball with said sweet spot of saidputter head so as to direct said golf ball towards said cup whilecontinuing to rotate the shoulders of said golfer, said face of saidputter head substantially aligned with one or more follow-through lineson said base member, each of said one or more follow-through linesintersecting said open area.
 20. The training method according to claim19 further comprising the step of aligning the left foot of said golferwith a left foot alignment mark at said first end of said base memberand aligning the right foot of said golfer with a right foot alignmentmark at said first side of said base member before said standing step,said left foot alignment mark and said right foot alignment markconfigured to substantially align the middle of the stance of saidgolfer with said center position.